BUS travel in Birmingham could be paralysed by a strike of drivers in a 'winter of discontent' for the city, it was revealed today.

BUS travel in Birmingham could be paralysed by a strike of drivers in a 'winter of discontent' for the city, it was revealed today.

Travel West Midlands drivers are awaiting the result of a ballot on a pay offer which could spell midwinter chaos for commuters across the city and the West Midlands.

Council workers are set to plunge Birmingham into a round of 1970s-style industrial action with a 24-hour stoppage on Tuesday - and the result of the Travel West Midlands drivers' ballot will be announced just 24 hours earlier.

A three-tier pay offer averaging between an extra £1 and £2 an hour has already been rejected once by a substantial majority but a second ballot was held.

And one driver, who asked not to be named, said: "The ballot is going through at the moment regarding a new pay deal.

"This is the second ballot we have had - the feeling amongst the drivers is that it will probably not go through. There is a possibility of strike action."

Another driver said: "For the last two years the company has treated its drivers and passengers with contempt, all in the name of profit."

If drivers vote by a subsequent postal ballot to strike, further crippling industrial action would hit the city in the wake of Tuesday's walkout by council workers which threatens turmoil for parents and households alike.

Any strike action would cause massive disruption for commuters and shoppers from Birmingham to the Black Country and Coventry.

Resentment amongst many drivers is known to have lingered since a narrow majority voted to accept a two-year deal in April 2006.

Months of wrangling only came to a halt at the region's biggest bus company when just under 1,400 staff backed a revised offer with 1,143 against.

The narrow majority was just enough to overturn a previous vote for stoppages.

Union leaders had previously pencilled in dates for walkouts but eventually backed down and a deal ensuring a minimum rate of £7.50 an hour was accepted.

Andrew Dodgson, spokesman for the T&G section of the union Unite, said: "I can confirm that there is a ballot and we will get the result on Monday."